title: Arachidonic acid cytochrome P450 epoxygenase pathway.
abstract: Cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenases convert arachidonic acid to four epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) regioisomers, 5,6-, 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-EET, that function as autacrine and paracrine mediators. EETs produce vascular relaxation by activating smooth muscle large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (BKCa). In addition, they have anti-inflammatory effects on blood vessels and in the kidney, promote angiogenesis, and protect ischemic myocardium and brain. CYP epoxygenases also convert eicosapentaenoic acid to vasoactive epoxy-derivatives, and endocannabinoids containing 11,12- and 14,15-EET are formed. Many EET actions appear to be initiated by EET binding to a membrane receptor that activates ion channels and intracellular signal transduction pathways. However, EETs also are taken up by cells, are incorporated into phospholipids, and bind to cytosolic proteins and nuclear receptors, suggesting that some functions may occur through direct interaction of the EET with intracellular effector systems. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) converts EETs to dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs). Because this attenuates many of the functional effects of EETs, sEH inhibition is being evaluated as a mechanism for increasing and prolonging the beneficial actions of EETs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. arthur-spector@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: Arthur A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Spector
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000090762:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2J2; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism*; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004851:Epoxide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D015777:Eicosanoids; D010743:Phospholipids; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D000090762:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2J2; D004851:Epoxide Hydrolases